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Tips & Tricks
 
 
Install programs:
 
Not all programs need to be "installed". Some of them, Firefox for example, just need to be copied to a folder and run. Of course it's nice to make shortcut(s) to start them with.
 
 
Organize your Start menu:
 
You can reorganize your "Start" menu by dragging items, but it requires skill that is not easy to acquire. :-) A much easier way is to use Windows Explorer, and "Drag and Drop" to move things around. You'll probably want to return to the Start menu and use "Sort by Name" to put the items in alphabetical order.
 
 
What happens when you move or rename a file?
 
Renaming or moving a file (in the same directory/drive) does not change or copy the file. The pointer to it's location is all that is changed. If you drag a file to a different directory, it is not moved -- a new copy is created.
 
 
Organize your downloads:
 
Ed Bott suggests a simple but effective way to keep track of not only the downloads, but the essential information that goes with them. You can use the basic idea in a more direct way, but this may be a convient way for you to use it.
http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=693 -- getting them organized
http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1254 -- keeping them organized
 
Adapted from Ed Bott's articles:
 
  1. In your My Documents folder, create a folder called Downloads.
  2. Within the Downloads folder, create a folder for each downloaded program.
  3. Now place the file or files for each downloaded program on your list into its related folder.
  4. Create a shortcut to the Web site from which you downloaded the program and place it in this folder as well, along with any notes about installing or registering the program.
  5. If a serial number or product key is required for installation, save that information in a file in the folder as well.
  6. Get ready for more downloads: Create a shortcut to your Downloads folder on your Desktop.
  7. When you download new programs...
    1. When you download a new program, patch, or utility, go ahead and save it to your Desktop.
    2. Create a shortcut to the Web page related to that download too.
    3. Save any serial number or product key in a file on your Desktop as well.
    4. Create a new folder -- named after the download -- on your Desktop.
    5. Drag the download and all related files to the new folder.
    6. Drag the new folder to the shortcut for your Downloads folder.